The Devil’s Bargain

Chapter 004

ELARA

I stood in front of the mirror, staring back at my reflection. It was a new day, and it went by so quickly. My black gown was long and A-shaped, and the back was open down to my waist, revealing my flawless back skin, with the front having a small cut that exposed some parts of my boobs.

I looked at myself, telling myself that I could this, it's just a night hangout or whatever Dante sees it as.

"Are you sure you can do this?" My dad's voice came from the door, and I turned only to see him walking into the room.

"Yes, Dad, I can" I answered with great determination.

"Indeed my daughter is the prettiest girl that's why that devil is refusing to take his eyes off you" My dad frowned, and I let out a bitter smile.

"I don't want you to go there, Elara, Dante Valerio is a very dangerous man. I don't know what he wants from you, and I don't want my daughter to get messed up with his deadly world" My dad patted my hair before sitting on my bed.

"I understand dad, I don't want to blame you for this, but you got us into this mess, and I can't say I won't go tonight. He made it so clear that it's a command and not a request. You know Dante Valerio more than I do , Dad. Even if we try running away, he's going to get us down...."

"I don't know, but right now he looks so calm; if we do something nasty, it might trigger him and then invite his wrath on us. Right now he only demands my presence, and I know he has an interest in me, but there's something more to it, and if I don't go today, I won't know." I sat beside my dad when a loud honk came from outside.

"You see? He's here to take me? Imagine me not showing up now, Father." I stood up and grabbed my purse before giving myself one last look at the mirror.

"I will be back before you know it, I promise I will make sure nothing happens to you" I stepped out of the room, leaving my father behind.

I got out, and a black SUV was parked outside. This man definitely has good taste in cars.

A broad man came down and opened the car door for me, I glanced back at the house, and my dad stood at the door watching me.

I nod at him before stepping in. The car drove silently, and in the midst of the silence, my phone buzzed loudly, making me jolt up in shock.

I glanced at the screen, and it was a text from my friend and course mate Isabella.

[Hi, I'm sorry I wasn't able to respond to your calls because I was too busy working on my dad's company. I'm sorry, Ela.]

I read her messages with an inaudible voice, and I smiled, shaking my head. It literally took her a day and a half to send a text.

[The school forum has been updated; we're resuming on Monday. I don't know why it came so suddenly, and I'm so tired ]

She added, and I frowned. Today is Saturday, and I'm resuming school on Monday? Oh my God…why so soon?

The car slowed down, and I stepped down. I was led to a different passage this time. It was calm and silent. I stepped into the room, and there he was….

He stood at the head of the table, jacket removed, sleeves rolled up closer to his elbow, and there were tattoos layered over there. The absence of his blazer should have made him seem less imposing, but

It did not.

“You came,” He said turning around.

“You told me to"

“Oh yes. I did.” He pulled out a chair for me and gestured for me to sit. I gulped down nothing before walking over and sat.

Dinner was served and each dish was mouthwatering but I was far from hungry, I wanted this to be done in one goal.

He poured wine for me and I drank slowly, his eyes not tearing away from me like he was watching me.

“You’ve stopped calling banks,” He spoke, his tone holding a hint of mockery.

“You made sure it was pointless,” I replied, gritting my teeth.

“You adapt so quickly, Elara, and I like that.” He clicked his tongue, feeling amused.

“I don’t have a choice,” I frowned.

“Everyone has a choice.”“Not when someone is against it," I retorted.

He's really testing me with his words, and I won't give in.

“You said you want me. I’m here, so explain.” I brought up the discussion since he was trying to play around.

Dante rested his hands lightly on the table, and then I heard him say, “I want a wife.”

The words didn’t register quickly at first; it made my mind disarray, and I blinked over and over.

“I’m sorry?”

“A five-year marriage, announced publicly and private loyalty in exchange for your father’s debt erased. Protection is also guaranteed,” he stated, and it sounded so simple to him.

I stared at him for a while before laughing out loud.

"This is a joke, right?" It slipped out of my my mouth before I could stop it.

"I do not joke about contracts, Elara." His expression did not change, and my laughter died slowly.

“You can’t be serious, no you can't!" I said I didn't want to believe all that he was saying.

“I am entirely serious, Elara,"

“You don’t even know me, you don't even know anything about...."

“I know enough about you," He interrupted, his voice and demeanor still calm.

“That’s not how marriage works. You think this is how marriage is meant to be and...”

"On the contrary, this is exactly how marriage has worked for centuries, Elara," He interrupted me again, his head tilted sideways.

I stood up abruptly, pacing about before turning back to him.

“You don’t want a wife, you want leverage, you want control over me, you want to claim me in the worst way ever," I ranted.

“If I wanted leverage, I would have taken your father’s company. If I wanted control, I would not be offering you terms, and if I wanted to claim you in the worst way, as you just said, then I wouldn't be speaking so calmly with you, Elara," He corrected smoothly.

“Then what do you want? Why offer a marriage contract to me?” I asked confusedly.

This time, he leaned forward, his face lingering over me in an intimate way. “I want someone who understands power, and that's you, Elara,”

So this was personal all along, and he used my father's debt to trap me. Bravo.

“Do you really expect me to agree to this?” I demanded.

“It's your choice"

“Then why does this feel like a threat?”

“Because you, Elara, understand consequences perfectly”

He wasn’t forcing this, he was offering it, which meant he believed I would choose him, obviously.

“I won’t do it,” I said, picking up my purse, and headed out of the room.

“Everyone belongs somewhere, Elara, and you belong to me,” he said after me, and I tightened my knuckles.

I walked out into the night, refusing to let them take me home. I saw a taxi and headed home as my mind spiraled.I got home and sneaked into my room before falling flat on my bed without bothering to take my outfit off.

A knock came in afterward and I yawned, wondering who that could be.

I got out of my room, and my eyes fell on the cops in our living room.

"Mr. Russo, you're hereby arrested for financial fraud and conspiracy"

I stood frozen in the hallway as they placed a handcuff around my father's hands.

"Father!" I rushed down immediately, but the cops blocked my path, stopping me from reaching him.

"Father!!!" I screamed loudly, tears rushing out of my eyes.

My father looked at me with a defeated look on his face, then he smiled as the cops dragged him away.

"Father!!!"

I yelled in agony. No...no...no.... I can't literally watch my dad get arrested. I needed to do something, but what should I do?

I paced around before remembering Dante Valerio's words; he promised me protection

if I married him, and he's even the same person behind this.

He's ready to go to any lengths to make sure I'm his fully, and he succeeded. I ran out of the house and drove in my car, heading to his estate…he wants me, right?

Then here I am, with my terms.